Steering fix for 96

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 30, 2011 | 11:35 AM

slayerman54

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 225

Likes: 0

From: south of heaven

Steering fix for 96

I can move the steering wheel on my 96 F350 4x4 around 4" in both directions before the tires move and it handles terrible. Even if I replace the shaft with a factory new one I still have a 20:1 ratio and would like it to react a little better than it does. Is there any junkyard gearbox swap that I can do along with a new shaft that is fairly close to bolt in? My guess is not without welding up plates and mounting the new box. My brother has a 94 Ram 2500 4x4 and his steering is as tight and handles as well as a new car. Is there anything I can do that is not too expensive to fix my sloppy steering?

Mar 30, 2011 | 01:07 PM

rla2005

Fleet Owner

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 20,786

Likes: 1,751

From: Kentucky

Verify where the play is coming from. The intermediate shaft to the steering box or the pitman arm or the drag-link tie-rods themselves. How many miles on these components? The drag link tie-rod end on my '92 F350 4x4 was shot when I bought it. I replaced all the tie-rods and drag link parts. Did a garage toe adjustment, still working great 2+ years later.

Mar 30, 2011 | 08:52 PM

slayerman54

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 225

Likes: 0

From: south of heaven

I haven't had anyone move the steering wheel for me yet to see where the slop is coming from but regardless, I still don't like the ratio of the gearbox. I know the tierods and drag link are fine so the problem is the steering shaft itself. Since I'm looking for some sort of replacement gearbox with a quicker responding ratio anyway, I don't want to replace the steering shaft until I know I don't have any other options and have to keep my setup.

Apr 4, 2011 | 05:51 PM

slayerman54

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 225

Likes: 0

From: south of heaven

I have driven probably close to 500 92-97 F250 and F350's for my job and none of them ever had tight steering due to the gear box ratio so I know that even if I do find a problem with my steering and get it back to stock, it will still not be tight. I know there are thousands of guys out there who drive 92-97 F-series and it is hard to believe that nobody has got so sick of their loose steering and poor gearbox ratio and swapped it out. Is there anyone who knows a better gearbox that won't be too much of a pain to swap in place of the D9 gearbox?

Apr 10, 2011 | 10:44 AM

slayerman54

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 225

Likes: 0

From: south of heaven

Hundreds of thousands of these around and nobody knows how to fix the steering slop?

Apr 10, 2011 | 11:01 AM

thomer

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 70

Likes: 0

From: Markesan

Im with you Slayer I have been battling my 97 F350's for 2yrs now and actually just this morning I grabbed the steering shaft and found all my play is in the steering box! I actuaklly have a hesitaion in my box when going around corners! You turn the steering wheel and think your turning and you arent then all of a sudden wham it turn!!! Scares the S_ _t out of me! Guessing I will gave to try a new box sooner than later!

Apr 10, 2011 | 11:22 AM

rla2005

Fleet Owner

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 20,786

Likes: 1,751

From: Kentucky

I am perfectly happy with the steering on my '92 F350 4x4. Once I replaced the worn tie-rods the truck drives very well. Steering "feel", just like your favorite brand of beer/oil/etc., is up to the user. I have owned/driven dozens of trucks over the years. None of my Fords are much different that the Chevys or Dodges I have experienced. If there is a worn component, none of them steer worth a hoot.